It is Safe Schools Week this week, October 21-27, 2018, sponsored by state governors, state school superintendents, and The National School Safety Center. It is a week to recognize the success of positive efforts made in school safety as well as encourage others to improve their safety programs. Children cannot learn in an unsafe environment; safety is of paramount importance to ensure the well-being and provide a quality education for every student.

What can you do to improve your school’s safety? We’re so glad you asked!

-Ask about or evaluate the Safety Team at the school. Who is on it? Are they practicing crisis communications? Are they updating their emergency plans? There are many resources to make sure those plans are up to date. We are big proponents of the School Safety Resource Center here in Colorado. There is a lot of great information on their site.

-What is the district doing to provide resources to improve school safety? Is there support from the entire district? If not, how can that change in a positive, proactive manner? Many districts have a safety director or student services director who helps with the safety plans. Contact them to learn more about what is being done in the district to improve the safety of all students.

-How are the existing relationships with community partners? When is the last time the school worked with its local fire department, police department, or sheriff’s office? These professionals are such a vital resource and they want to help. If the school hasn’t reached out to them yet, this is a great time to make the connection. We provide an interoperable communications program to help facilitate these relationships and to allow public safety to speak to schools on their existing radios with hardware, software, and training. Learn more here.

-When was the latest safety training the school and district conducted? If not recently, when can the next one be scheduled?

-Are all staff members empowered to call a lockdown? How would they do so safely? Do they need access to radios, a PA system, or phone?

-During an emergency, is the school getting quality information to the 9-1-1 dispatcher? If not, how can you improve internal information to help the professional first responders be as efficient and effective as possible?

-How’s the reunification plan? When we train schools, we frequently hear that the reunification plan could be exercised and improved. It’s daunting but well worth understanding the systems in place.

-Need funding to improve communications? There are grants available in Colorado, apply for the SAFER grant by December 3

We advocate for quality plans, practices, and communications during an emergency. Even if 10 minutes of this week (or month’s) staff meeting is spent on one emergency scenario and how it could have been improved, it can help empower school personnel and improve the next situation.

-Think about previous scenarios that have occurred at the school or throughout the district. What went well? What could have been better? What would you have done in those situations?

Any constructive attempts to improve school safety are well worth the time and potential investment. This week is a great week to see what you can do to improve any aspect of school safety in your area. Need more help? We’re here! Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more.